GOOD anglers must know how to fish - and take every chance to go fishing. That's how John Bailey introduces his latest book, 'Freshwater Fishing, The Fish, Tackle and Techniques'.

He lives up to those beliefs in a 150-page hardback with simple, readable text, more than 200 colour photos and line drawings. Taking the mystery out of fishing is 53-year-old Bailey's mission after 40 years of casting around the world. His Caring Angler's Code and ability to communicate with all ages will remind many older anglers of the late Dick Walker.

His book is due out May 1 (£16.99) but six lucky SP angling readers will be the first to own a copy. We've linked with publisher New Holland to hold a prize draw in April when all winners of major SP coarse fishing prizes in the last year will go in the hat. The first six drawn out will each receive a copy.

A companion hardback, 'John Bailey's Complete Guide to Fly Fishing', will be in the shops May 1 (£16.99). The SP has bagged six copies to give away in a prize draw next month for our stillwater trout competition winners. Watch out for details.

RICHARD ROBINSON, a railworker from Ewell, bought a ticket to fish in nearby Epsom Common's Stew Pond on his first day off for months. Looking for a likely pitch he listened to another angler's gloomy tale of just one bite in his last four visits.

But SP anglers are not easily put off and Richard set up two Christmas gift carp rods, baiting one with halibut-flavoured pellets and the other with corn.

After hours without a nibble he was beginning to feel like his fishless informant. Then a reel-screamer signalled a take on the corn-baited rod and a 20-minute fight on 6lb line landed a handsome 17lb common carp.

"My only fish of the day was really special after a long spell without a break," said happy Richard, who is competing for a Shakespeare 13ft Borak match rod in the SP competition.

SEASIDERS can hit the jackpot in our MARCH contest to find the month's top-scoring fish, caught from shore, pier or boat. The big prize is a three-piece £285 K2 Extreme Titanium beachcasting rod. Any sea fish, except those in mini-lists, caught in UK waters in March can compete for this fine Shakespeare Xtra Special award. The winner will score the highest percentage against separate UK shore and boat records.

All regular SP monthly prizes are also up for grabs, including Ugly Stik boat and beachcasting rods, Borak match rods, Oracle fly rods and Summit fly reels. Roomy tackle seat boxes are under the counter for youngsters and others who try hard but miss a main award. Write a newsy letter about your month's best fish. Include full name, age and job or school and telephone number. Date and location of catch are essentials. Include a photo of you with your fish. Post to the SP and Shakespeare Angling Competition, PO Box 822, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 5YJ.